"Many thanks for the warning, Elder Wang."
After hearing Elder Wang's sincere explanation, a cold sweat broke across the envoy's brow. He bowed repeatedly as his hands clasped in deep gratitude.
Truthfully, the Drake Clan were somewhat aware of this imperial regulation, but the extent of regulation and how strict the royal family could be was not in their minds.
Their original plan was brutally simple: unify Blazecity City through raw force.
It might not have provoked consequences in the short term but once their influence expanded, and if they ever produced a Transcendent realm powerhouse, that oversight could've spelled their doom.
But thanks to Elder Wang's reminder, they would now steer well clear of such a reckless path.
With the support of a third-grade alchemist, they wouldn't need to draw a single blade. They could dismantle the Leonhart Clan's business structure piece by piece with firstly undercutting their alchemy shops, herb suppliers, and supply routes.
They'd choke them out financially.And when the Leonharts finally snapped and struck first, the Drake Clan would respond righteously, and with imperial justification on their side saying they were just doing defending themselves.
"Just a small matter, no need to thank me," Wang said calmly as he watched the relieved expression on envoy's face.
"To be safe, take this jade talisman as well. Deliver it to our clan's alchemist."
He handed over a glowing talisman etched with fine runes. It contained a strand of his soul which was capable of unleashing half of his full power in a single strike. It also served as a signal beacon: if activated, Warden Wang could feel it and arrive instantly .
He didn't believe anyone in BlazeCity posed a true threat. With two peak Core Break experts and a third-grade alchemist, this task should be just a simple task for them even if there was a peak Core break expert in their side.
But one could never be too cautious.
The Leonhart Ancestor was a seasoned peak Blood Cleansing cultivator. If driven to desperation, he might just go out in a blaze of defiance.
And the Wang Clan couldn't afford to lose even one third-grade alchemist. Their lineage spanned centuries, yet even now, they only had four.
—
Bowing again, the Drake Clan envoy departed in high spirits, making his way toward Tianxin Prefecture.
Though not directly en route to BlazeCity, Tianxin was relatively close to Skycloud Sect with just under ten thousand li. The envoy reached the ancient prefectural capital in just over a day.
"So this is one of the Dusk Empire's top five prefectures… So many experts…"
As he passed into the city, walking among multiple Core Break cultivators without causing a stir, he couldn't help but feel awe. Compared to the remote Blaze City region under the Firegrave Family's Redridge, the difference in power was staggering.
Without the Firegrave Clan holding the border together, Redridge Province would likely be scraping the bottom of the imperial rankings.
Within Tianxin, the Wang Clan wasn't the absolute peak, but they were still a dominant force, they were part of the "Big Four" in the prefecture.
It didn't take long for the envoy to locate the sprawling Wang Clan estate and secure an audience with the current patriarch.
"You've come from afar, little brother. Please, rest. I'll see to the arrangements immediately."
The Wang clan patriarch welcomed him warmly once he found out Warden Wang had sent him.
Though not the clan's most powerful member, Wang Tianlu ranked among the top five inside the clan and held the influential title of elder within the same Skycloud Sect. With access to insider channels in the Skycloud sect, he had brought the Wang Clan a lot of invaluable fortune over the years.
And this opportunity was no different.
If Elder Wang's words were true and if Gavin Drake truly was destined to become the sect's next Young Lord then supporting the Drakes in seizing control of Blazecity was more than a simple favor.
It was an investment for the future of Wang clan.
"Thank you… Wang Clan Patriarch, you're too kind," the envoy replied, grateful and slightly dazed by the high-level reception.
Wang Tianlu didn't keep him waiting.
Less than an hour later, he returned accompanied by three individuals: a robed elder with the bearing of a refined scholar who was clearly the third-grade alchemist and with him were two muscular cultivators radiating thick, blood-rich energy.
They were definitely Peak Core Break experts.
The envoy immediately rose to his feet as he saw the people who would help Drake clan in their clan.
"Let me introduce everyone," Wang Tianlu said with warmth. "This young man hails from the clan of Elder Tianyun's own personal disciple. And these three… I believe you'll find them quite helpful."
Thanks to Gavin Drake, the Wang experts offered the envoy an unusual amount of respect. And the envoy himself knew the truth why he was getting this respect.
Without the light of his clan's Young Lord, he wouldn't have even made it through the front gate.
With introductions made, both sides quickly built a rapport.
"Remember, your mission is to just support the Drake Clan, not start trouble in the Firegrave family's area," Wang Tianlu reminded firmly as he saw them off.
And with that, the envoy led his new allies toward BlazeCity.
—
Nearly half a month later, the Drake clan Envoy and Wang clan experts arrived at the city gates.
"Wonderful, wonderful! We are deeply grateful for the Wang Clan's support!" Brandon Drake welcomed them with open arms, offering the alchemist and cultivators the highest courtesies.
Brandon was in high spirits as he also received the news of his son's potential Young Clan master status of the SkyCloud Sect.
But he didn't put on airs and treated the Wang clan with more respect, he understood perfectly.
No matter how talented his son might be, Gavin hadn't yet grown into a true powerhouse. Until then, it was best to stay humble and deferential before strength.
"Let's get straight to business, then," said the alchemist Wang Tianshi, his tone direct and words even more straightforward. "How do we break the Leonhart Clan?"
Brandon's smile widened.
With Wang Tianshi's support, their path was clear as day.
They would flood the marketplace with high-quality pills, refined from their own herb stockpiles undercutting Leonhart prices and siphoning off their customers. Simultaneously, they'd buy up raw ingredients in bulk, drying out the Leonhart supply chains.
No blood, no blades. Just silver and spirit stones, this was their plan that would not go against the Imperial law.
If the Leonharts snapped and attacked first tat would be perfect as that would trigger the trap they have set.
And if they didn't?
Their calculations were simple.
The Leonhart Clan's reserves would last six months at most under an economic siege. Decades of savings would be bled dry.
Unless they abandoned Blazecity and fled, they'd have no choice but to strike eventually.
And when that day came… the Drake Clan would have every justification to finish what they started.